The Aryavarta Chronicles Kurukshetra: Book 3 by Krishna Udayasankar Read Free Book Online

Govinda’s courage – for a lesser man could not have unified Aryavarta in the name of Dharma Yudhisthir – and he hated Govinda’s obvious cowardice for not daring to rule the realm that he controlled, other than through his puppet emperor. He enjoyed Govinda’s wit, but found his flippant nature irksome. He felt lighthearted when Govinda laughed, and cringed when he spoke. He wished Govinda were his friend. But right now, more than all of that, he wished Govinda were dead. Govinda was a Firewright and a friend to the Firstborn. Govinda was a traitor, a man with no allegiance. He was the essence of all that threatened Aryavarta, Divine Order and their noble way of life.
    Syoddhan turned, as he often had, to the Grandsire, Bhisma Devavrata. He found his gaze returned. Today it was he, Syoddhan, whom Bhisma looked to with affection and trust, not Dharma Yudhisthir. It was all he could have wanted.
    Letting the moment brand itself on his heart, Syoddhan said out loud, ‘Dharma must submit, in public, to my authority.’
    ‘Done,’ Govinda said.
    ‘Don’t be hasty, Govinda. Dharma must admit that he lost all to me in fair game and declare that he holds no title, no standing whatsoever. In return, I will host him, his brothers and their families here at Hastina, in state. They will be accorded all respect that is due to them as my cousins, and shall never be in fear for their safety. On that you have my word.’
    ‘I don’t doubt your word. But this serves no purpose as far as reversing the policy that was set by the game. You only affirm that Dharma indeed had the right to make those wagers, and thus passed his powers on to you.’
    Syoddhan briefly stared at Govinda before breaking into a harsh, mirthless laugh. ‘Ah, Govinda. For a while I really thought you cared. Peace means nothing to you, neither do loyalty and friendship. All you want is to get back the power that was yours.’
    ‘Not true.’
    ‘Is that so? Tell me, what would become of Matsya under the terms you propose?’
    ‘They would pledge allegiance to you. They would, after all, be part of your empire.’
    ‘How easily you throw them away, now that they are not needed.’
    Govinda shrugged. ‘It is the law.’
    ‘I see,’ Syoddhan said. ‘By the same token, you too would pledge allegiance to me? As a representative of the Yadu nation?’ Syoddhan asked.
    Govinda said, wary, ‘It is my understanding that the Yadu nation has already pledged its allegiance to you.’
    Syoddhan nodded. ‘Yes, and so they send their armies to support me, if there should be war. But the question is why are you not with them?’
    ‘Because I act in revolt against the very system that forces Dwaraka to align with you.’
    ‘Then you admit it? You admit that Dwaraka is duty-bound to fight on my behalf? Including the men under your command, and Yuyudhana’s, too.’
    Govinda said, expressionless. ‘Yes. The armies are bound to fight for you if the leaders so decide. But it does not bind me as an individual, though I may be called to answer under Dwaraka’s laws for my rebellion. Unless, Syoddhan, you’d rather have me on your side than have my armies?’
    ‘No, Govinda. I place no value on a man who is deluded. Do you even know what you fight for; what you truly want?
    Govinda said, ‘I would explain what it is I want, Syoddhan, but I doubt you would understand. Such gwala-talk is hardly worthy of your attention, so I shall put it this way: Since you have refused to admit that the wager was made in excess of Dharma’s authority and hold it as grounds to deny him his Empire, we must categorically declare that the dice game was an act of deceit. You have wrongfully deprived Emperor Dharma Yudhisthir of his realm by deceiving him into acting in excess of his authority. The empire was his, but the gamble was not. And, by Rudra, we shall now win his empire back.’
    In response, Syoddhan rose to his feet, the entire assembly following his action, save